Paragallo guilty on 33 cruelty counts; Sentencing 5/18

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http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-raci...paign=20100311

Paragallo Convicted of 33 Misdemeanors
By Blood-Horse Staff
Updated: Thursday, March 11, 2010 10:35 AM
Posted: Wednesday, March 10, 2010 6:37 PM

Ernie Paragallo, a prominent New York Thoroughbred breeder and trainer has been convicted of mistreating dozens of malnourished horses. Paragallo was convicted March 10 of 33 of 34 misdemeanor animal cruelty counts in a non-jury trial.

The 52-year-old Long Island resident was charged after authorities raided his 500-acre farm in Coxsackie in April and seized 177 malnourished horses.

Paragallo could face up to two years in jail and $35,000 in fines. His lawyer says he'll appeal the convictions announced by a judge March 10. The owner/breeder testified the week of March 1 that he didn't know the horses weren't being fed enough.

[Danzig]

and reaction to his lawyers comments:

http://cs.bloodhorse.com/blogs/wgoh/...-burdened.aspx



Paragallo and Attorney Should Not Feel Burdened
10 Mar 2010 2:36 PM21 Comments

One thing that is apparent following the March 10 conviction of horse owner and breeder Ernie Paragallo of animal cruelty charges is that he hired the right attorney.

Paragallo claimed he had no way of knowing the horses were not being cared for.

His attorney, Michael Howard, was quoted after the verdict as saying, “This requires a horse owner to take on a very high level of burden.”

I wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry after reading Howard’s statement, though I can see why his client was found guilty if that was the basis of their defense.